Carrying case with laptop tray elevating member

ABSTRACT

Carrying cases used to transport and elevate laptop computers are disclosed. The carrying cases include a laptop tray elevating device including a laptop tray to support the laptop computer and a laptop tray elevating member. A hook member is coupled to the laptop tray to prevent the laptop computer from sliding off the laptop tray when elevated. The laptop tray elevating member includes a plurality of folding panels, a webbing, and a webbing gripping member. The webbing is pulled to displace one or more of the folding panels against the laptop tray and to orient one or more of the folding panels vertically to elevate the laptop tray at an angle. The webbing gripping member can selectively grip and release the webbing.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to carrying cases. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to laptop computer carrying cases. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to laptop computer carrying cases having an internal elevatable support for the laptop computer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments disclosed herein will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These drawings depict only typical embodiments, which will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a carrying case.

FIG. 2A is a top view of the carrying case of FIG. 1 in an open state.

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view of the carrying case of FIG. 1 in the open state.

FIG. 3A is a top view of a backside of a laptop tray elevating member of the carrying case of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3B is a top view of a frontside of the laptop tray elevating member of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a hook member of the laptop tray elevating member of FIG. 3B.

FIG. 4B is an end view of the hook member of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a webbing gripping member in a closed state of the laptop tray elevating member of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the webbing gripping member in an open state of the webbing gripping member of FIG. 5A.

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the laptop tray elevating memnber of FIG. 2A in a ready state.

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the laptop tray elevating member of FIG. 2A in a partial elevated state.

FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of the laptop tray elevating member of FIG. 2A in an elevated state.

FIG. 7A is another embodiment of a carrying case in an open state.

FIG. 7B is an embodiment of a removable divider of the carrying case of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a laptop tray elevating member receptacle.

FIG. 8B is a perspective exploded view of the laptop tray elevating member receptacle of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9A is a front view of another embodiment of a webbing gripping member.

FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the webbing gripping member of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 10A is a perspective view of another embodiment of a laptop tray elevating member receptacle.

FIG. 10B is a perspective exploded view of the laptop tray elevating member receptacle of FIG. 10A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Carrying cases are used to transport laptop computers or other electronic devices between places of work, school, or entertainment. In certain instances, the laptop computer may remain within the carrying case while it is used. Elevating the laptop at angle may provide an ergonomic orientation to improve a user's experience and effectiveness when using the laptop computer.

Embodiments herein describe a laptop carrying case including an elevating support device for a laptop computer. The carrying case includes an upper portion and a lower portion with a selective closure member (e.g., zipper) coupled to the upper portion and the lower portion and configured to be used to selectively open and close the carrying case. A laptop tray elevating device is disposed within the lower portion. The laptop tray elevating device can include a laptop tray to support the laptop computer. An elevating portion is coupled to the laptop tray and includes first, second, third, and fourth folding panels configured to be folded in a manner to elevate the laptop tray at an angle. A webbing is coupled to the fourth folding panel and is pulled by a user to displace the fourth folding panel relative to the laptop tray and to fold the second and third folding panels. The elevating portion may include one or more pulleys to decrease a pull force required to elevate the laptop tray. A hook member is coupled to the laptop tray to prevent the laptop computer from sliding off the laptop tray when elevated. A webbing gripping member is coupled to the webbing and configured to grip the webbing to maintain the laptop tray in the elevated state and to release the webbing to allow the laptop tray to be elevated and to return to a non-elevated state.

In use, in embodiments within the scope of this disclosure, the laptop carrying case can be opened and the laptop computer placed on the laptop tray. The webbing gripping member may be actuated to release the webbing and the webbing can be pulled by the user. When the webbing is pulled, the fourth folding panel slides along a bottom surface of the laptop tray. The fourth folding panel pulls the third folding panel into a vertical orientation and then into alignment with the fourth folding panel against the bottom surface of the laptop tray. The third folding panel pulls the second folding panel into a vertical orientation having an angle relative to a bottom surface of the lower portion ranging from about 0 degrees to about 70 degrees and resulting in an angled elevation of the laptop tray of from about minus 2 degrees to about 60 degrees. The webbing gripping member can be de-actuated such that the webbing gripping member grips the webbing to hold the laptop tray in the elevated state.

FIGS. 1-6C illustrate an embodiment of a laptop carrying case including a laptop tray elevating device. FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an embodiment of the laptop carrying case including a removable divider configured for use as a mouse pad. FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a receptacle configured to support a laptop tray on a shelf and to receive a laptop tray elevating member within a recess. FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate an embodiment of a webbing gripping member. FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate a receptacle configured to receive a laptop tray elevating member within a recess. In certain views each device may be coupled to, or shown with, additional components not included in every view. Further, in some views only selected components are illustrated, to provide detail into the relationship of the components. Some components may be shown in multiple views, but not discussed in connection with every view. Disclosure provided in connection with any figure is relevant and applicable to disclosure provided in connection with any other figure or embodiment.

Embodiments may be understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be readily understood by one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure that the components of the embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of various embodiments, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, but is merely representative of various embodiments. While the various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a laptop carrying case 100. As depicted in the illustrated embodiment, the laptop carrying case 100 includes an upper portion 102 and a lower portion 101 in a clam-shell type relationship. In some embodiments, an inner shell may be disposed within the lower portion. A closure member 103 is coupled to the lower portion 101 and the upper portion 102 and is used to selectively close the laptop carrying case 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the closure member 103 is a zipper. In other embodiments, the closure member 103 may include any suitable type of closure device, such as hook-and-loop material, buckles, snaps, hooks, laces, etc.

The illustrated laptop carrying case 100 includes a cut n′ sew construct. In other embodiments, the laptop carrying case 100 may include a molded ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) construct. Other types of constructs are contemplated within the scope of this disclosure. A handle 104 may be coupled to the laptop carrying case 100 to facilitate handling of the laptop carrying case 100 during transport.

The illustrated laptop carrying case 100 is configured to transport a laptop computer. In other embodiments, the laptop carrying case 100 can transport any personal electronic computing device. For example, the laptop carrying case 100 may transport a tablet, a e-reader, smartphone, etc. In certain embodiments, the laptop carrying case 100 may include additional features, such as external pockets, a shoulder strap, etc.

FIG. 2A illustrates the laptop carrying case 100 in an open state where the closure member 103 has been activated to release the lower portion 101 from the upper portion 102 and the lower portion 101 has been displaced away from the lower portion 101 about a hinge 105. A laptop computer can be disposed within the lower portion 101 on top of a laptop tray elevating member 110. When the laptop carrying case 100 is opened, the lower portion 101 can rest on a substantially flat surface such that the inside surface of the lower portion 101 is substantially parallel with the substantially flat surface.

The laptop tray elevating member 110 is disposed within the lower portion 101 in a pre-elevated state. That is, the laptop tray elevating member 110 is collapsed to be substantially flat and oriented parallel with the inside surface of the lower portion 101. As depicted, a laptop tray 111 is disposed facing upward such that a laptop computer can be placed on the laptop tray 111. A webbing 129 extends from the laptop tray elevating member 110 to make it available to be easily grasped by a user to actuate the laptop tray elevating member 110, as will be described below. A webbing gripping member 170 is fixedly coupled to an inner surface of the lower portion 101 and configured to selectively grasp or hold the webbing 129 in place relative to the laptop tray 111. A hook member 140 is fixedly coupled to a top surface of the laptop tray 111 and configured to prevent the laptop computer from sliding off the laptop tray 111 when the laptop tray 111 is in an elevated state.

FIG. 2B illustrates the laptop tray elevating member 110 disposed within the lower portion 101. The laptop tray 111 is facing upward and is folded over and covers an elevating portion 120. The webbing gripping member 170 is coupled to the inner surface of the lower portion 101 with the webbing 129 extending through the webbing gripping member 170. The hook member 140 is coupled to the top surface of the laptop tray 111.

FIG. 3A illustrates a backside and FIG. 3B illustrates a frontside of an embodiment of the laptop tray elevating member 110. As illustrated in the depicted embodiment, the laptop tray elevating member 110 includes the laptop tray 111 and an elevating portion 120 coupled to the laptop tray 111. The laptop tray 111 includes a hook member 140. The elevating portion 120 includes a first folding panel 121, a second folding panel 122, a third folding panel 123, a fourth folding panel 124, the webbing 129, and the webbing gripping member 170. In other embodiments, the number of folding panels may be one, two, three, five or more.

The first folding panel 121 is coupled to a lower edge 112 of the laptop tray 111 via a first living hinge 125. The second folding panel 122 is coupled to first folding panel 121 via a second living hinge 126 such that the first folding panel 121 is disposed between the laptop tray 111 and the second folding panel 122. The third folding panel 123 is coupled to the second folding panel 122 via a third living hinge 127. The fourth folding panel 124 is coupled to the third folding panel 123 via a fourth living hinge 128 such that the third folding panel 123 is disposed between the second folding panel 122 and the fourth folding panel 124.

Each of the laptop tray 111 and the folding panels 121, 122, 123, 124 include a layered structure including a first layer of a material such as a polyurethane film manufactured by a wet polyurethane process; a second layer of a stiff board made from fiberglass or polypropylene; and a third layer of a smooth, low friction material such as a polyurethane faux leather material. The first layer and the third layer can be extended between the folding panels 121, 122, 123, 124 to form the living hinges 125, 126, 127, 128. The first layer may include a color or pattern. The first and third layers can be stitched together around a perimeter of the second layer to retain the second layer between the first and third layers.

The laptop tray 111 can be sized to support a laptop computer or other portable personal computing device. For example, a width of the laptop tray 111 can range from about 325 millimeters to about 425 millimeters and may be about 375 millimeters. A height of the laptop tray 111 can range from about 230 millimeters to about 300 millimeters and may be about 265 millimeters. A width of the folding panels 121, 122, 123, 124 may be approximately equivalent to the width of the laptop tray 111.

In other embodiments, the width of the folding panels 121, 122, 123, 124 may be less than the width of the laptop tray 111. A height of the first and second folding panels 121, 122 can range from about 100 millimeters to about 130 millimeters and may be about 115 millimeters. A height of the third folding panel 123 may range from about 7.5 millimeters to about 12.5 millimeters and may be about 10 millimeters. A height of the fourth folding panel 124 may range from about 50 millimeters and about 70 millimeters and may be about 60 millimeters.

The laptop tray 111 includes a webbing window 114 disposed in the lower edge 112. The webbing window 114 is sized to allow passage of the webbing 129 through the webbing window 114 without binding or pinching. The hook member 140 is coupled to the upper surface of the laptop tray 111, as shown in FIG. 3B, and is positioned over the webbing window 114.

The elevating portion 120 also includes a first pulley 131 coupled to the first folding panel 121 and a second pulley 132 coupled to the fourth folding panel 124. Each of the first and second pulleys 131, 132 may comprise a D-loop having a roller sized to allow the webbing 129 to pass through the D-loop and operably couple with the roller. The second pulley 132 is disposed within a window 133 of the fourth folding panel 124. The webbing 129 can be fixedly coupled to the fourth folding panel 124 and extend toward and through the first pulley 131, extend from the first pulley 131 toward and through the second pulley 132 and through the window 133, and extend toward and through the webbing window 114, as shown in FIG. 6A. The routing of the webbing 129 through the first and second pulleys 131, 132 may reduce the pull force on the webbing 129 required to elevate the laptop tray 111 by a factor of three.

The webbing 129 can be a woven flat or tubular webbing formed from any suitable material, such as canvas, acrylic, nylon, polypropylene, polyester, cotton twill, etc. A width of the webbing 129 can range from about 20 millimeters to about 38 millimeters and may be about 25 millimeters.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an embodiment of the hook member 140. As depicted in the illustrated embodiment, the hook member 140 includes a body portion 141, a prong 142 extending upward from the body portion 141, and a webbing channel 143 disposed in a bottom surface of the body portion 141. The prong 142 may prevent the laptop from sliding downward off the laptop tray 111 when the laptop tray 111 is in the elevated state. The number of prongs 142 in the embodiment of FIG. 4A is two. In other embodiments the number of prongs 142 may be one, three, four or more. The prongs 142 can be disposed a distance apart with a gap between individual prongs 142 to prevent the laptop computer from tipping sideways. The prongs 142 can be angled toward a top edge of the laptop tray 111 to provide better securement of the laptop computer on the laptop tray 111 when in the elevated state. The hook member 140 may be coupled to the laptop tray 111 using any suitable technique, such as fasteners, rivets, glue, welding, etc.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate an embodiment of the webbing gripping member 170. As illustrated, the webbing gripping member 170 is in the form of a cam buckle having a base 171 that is coupled to the inner surface of the lower portion 101 and a flap 172. Teeth 173 are associated with the flap 172 such that when the flap 172 is lowered to close the webbing gripping member 170, as shown in FIG. 5A, the teeth 173 engage with the webbing 129 that is passing through the webbing gripping member 170 to hold the webbing 129 in place relative to the webbing gripping member 170. When the flap 172 is lifted relative to the base 171, the teeth 173 are rotated and disengage from the webbing 129, such that the webbing 129 freely moves through the webbing gripping member 170.

FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate the steps of a method of elevating a laptop computer using the laptop tray elevating member 110 previously described of the laptop carrying case 100. As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the laptop tray elevating member 110 is in a ready state. The laptop tray elevating member 110 is disposed within the lower portion 101 with the laptop tray 111 folded over the elevating portion 120 such that the elevating portion 120 is disposed between the inner surface of the lower portion 101 and the laptop tray 111. A laptop computer 190 is positioned on the top surface of the laptop tray 111 with a front of the laptop computer 190 disposed against the prongs 142 of the hook member 140. The webbing 129 extends through the webbing gripping member 170 that is in a closed state, wherein the flap 172 is lowered relative to the base 171.

The first folding panel 121, the second folding panel 122, and the third folding panel 123 are aligned and disposed against the inner surface of the lower portion 101. The fourth folding panel 124 is folded over the third folding panel 123 and partially over the fourth folding panel 124. The fourth folding panel 124 is disposed against the bottom surface of the laptop tray 111. Living hinges 126, 127 are straight and living hinges 125, 128 are bent at an angle of approximately 180 degrees.

The webbing 129 is fixedly coupled to the fourth folding panel 124 and routed to and through the first pulley 131, to and through the second pulley 132 and window 133, to and through the webbing window 114, and to and through the webbing gripping member 170. A restraining strap 134 is coupled to the second folding panel 122 and the inner surface of the lower portion 101 in a collapsed state.

As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the laptop tray elevating member 110 is in a partial elevated state. The webbing 129 extends through the webbing gripping member 170 that is in a release state, wherein the flap 172 is lifted relative to the base 171. The webbing 129 is pulled by the user away from the laptop tray elevating member 110. The first folding panel 121 and the second folding panel 122 are aligned and disposed against the inner surface of the lower portion 101. The third folding panel 123 is pulled by the fourth folding panel 124 and is folded approximately 90 degrees relative to the inner surface of the lower portion 101 resulting in an initial elevation of the laptop tray 111 and laptop computer 190. The fourth folding panel 124 is pulled toward the webbing gripping member 170 by the webbing 129. As the fourth folding panel 124 is pulled, it slides against the bottom surface of the laptop tray 111. The joint 126 is straight, the joint 125 is bent at an angle of approximately 180 degrees, and the joints 127 and 128 are bent at approximately 90 degrees.

As the webbing 129 is pulled, it moves toward the user through the webbing gripping member 170, through the webbing window 114, through the second pulley 132 and window 133, through the pulley 131 as it displaces the fourth folding panel 124 and folds the third folding panel 123 to a vertical orientation. The restraining strap 134 is coupled to the second folding panel 122 and the inner surface of the lower portion 101 in a collapsed state.

As illustrated in FIG. 6C, the laptop tray elevating member 110 is in an elevated state. The webbing 129 extends through the webbing gripping member 170 that is in the closed state, wherein the flap 172 is lowered relative to the base 171 to hold the webbing 129 in place relative to the laptop tray 111. The webbing 129 is displaced an additional amount by the user away from the laptop tray elevating member 110. The first folding panel 121 is disposed against the inner surface of the lower portion 101. The second folding panel 122 is elevated to an angle relative to the inner surface of the lower portion 101 ranging from about zero degrees to about 70 degrees resulting in the laptop tray 111 and the laptop computer 190 elevated to an angle relative to the inner surface of the lower portion 101 ranging from about minus 2 degrees to about 60 degrees as the second folding panel 122 applies a lifting force to the laptop tray 111. The third folding panel 123 is pulled by the fourth folding panel 124 and is folded an additional approximately 90 degrees relative to the inner surface of the lower portion 101 resulting in alignment of the third folding panel 123 with the fourth folding panel 124 against the bottom surface of the laptop tray 111. The fourth folding panel 124 is pulled an additional distance toward the webbing gripping member 170 by the webbing 129. As the fourth folding panel 124 is pulled, it slides against the bottom surface of the laptop tray 111. The joint 126 is straight, the joint 125 is bent at an angle of approximately 180 degrees, and the living hinges 127 and 128 are bent at approximately 90 degrees. The restraining strap 134 is extended between the second folding panel 122 and the inner surface of the lower portion 101. The restraining strap 134 can restrain the second folding panel 122 from elevating the laptop tray 111 and the laptop computer 190 beyond a desired angle.

FIGS. 7A and 7B depict an embodiment of a laptop carrying case 200 that resembles the laptop carrying case 100 described above in certain respects. Accordingly, like features are designated with like reference numerals, with the leading digit incremented to “2.” For example, the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 7A and 7B includes a lower portion 201 that may, in some respects, resemble the lower portion 101 of FIG. 1 . Relevant disclosures set forth above regarding similarly identified features thus may not be repeated hereafter. Moreover, specific features of the laptop carrying case 100 and related components shown in FIGS. 1-6C may not be shown or identified by a reference numeral in the drawings or specifically discussed in the written description that follows. However, such features may clearly be the same, or substantially the same, as features depicted in other embodiments and/or described with respect to such embodiments. Accordingly, the relevant descriptions of such features apply equally to the features of the laptop carrying case 200 and related components depicted in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Any suitable combination of the features, and variations of the same, described with respect to the laptop carrying case 100 and related components illustrated in FIGS. 1-6C can be employed with the laptop carrying case 200 and related components of FIGS. 7A and 7B, and vice versa. This pattern of disclosure applies equally to further embodiments depicted in subsequent figures and described hereafter, wherein the leading digits may be further incremented.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate another embodiment of a laptop carrying case 200. As illustrated in the depicted embodiment, the laptop carrying case 200 includes a lower portion 201 and an upper portion 202. The laptop carrying case 200 also includes a divider 250 disposed within the laptop carrying case 200. The divider 250 may be selectively coupled to an inner surface of the laptop carrying case 200 using any suitable technique, such as a hook-and-loop material, a zipper, snaps, etc. The divider 250 can include a multilayer construct including a first layer of neoprene film, a second layer of a polypropylene or fiberglass board, a third layer of an EVA foam sheet, and a fourth layer of a woven polyester or similar material. The divider 250 can include pockets and straps disposed on a first side 254 to hold work supplies, tool, and folders. A second side 251, opposite of the first side, can include a smooth surface configured to facilitate use of a computer mouse 291 as shown in FIG. 7B.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate an embodiment of a receptacle 360 configured to receive a laptop elevating device, such as the laptop tray elevating member 110 previously described. As depicted in the illustrated embodiment, the receptable 360 includes an inner shell 361 and an outer shell 362 with the inner shell 361 disposed within the outer shell 362. The inner shell 361 includes a shelf 363 circumscribing an inner perimeter. The shelf 363 defines a recess 364 configured to receive an elevating portion of the laptop elevating device. The shelf 363 can support a laptop tray above the elevating portion of the laptop elevating device to reduce an initial pull force on a webbing to initiate elevation of the laptop tray.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate another embodiment of a webbing gripping member 470. As depicted in the illustrated embodiment, the webbing gripping member 470 includes a body 471 and an actuator 472 operably coupled to the body 471. A slot 475 extends through the body 471 and is configured for passage of the webbing (not shown). Upper teeth 473 and lower teeth 474 are disposed within the slot 475 and the webbing can pass between the upper teeth 473 and the lower teeth 474. The actuator 472 can be depressed by a user's finger to vertically separate the upper teeth 473 and the lower teeth 474. When separated, the webbing can freely pass through the slot 475. When the actuator 472 is released, the upper teeth 473 and the lower teeth 474 can come together to capture the webbing and prevent movement of the webbing relative to the webbing gripping member 470.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate an embodiment of a receptacle 560 configured to receive a laptop elevating device, such as the laptop tray elevating member 110 previously described. As depicted in the illustrated embodiment, the receptable 560 includes an inner shell 561 and an outer shell 562 with the inner shell 561 disposed within the outer shell 562. The inner shell 361 includes a recess 564 configured to receive the laptop elevating device. In certain embodiments, a lower portion of a laptop carrying case includes the outer shell 562.

Any methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for performing the described method. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the embodiment, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified. For example, a method of elevating a laptop computer may include one or more of the following steps: placing a laptop computer on a laptop tray of a laptop elevating device, wherein a portion of the laptop computer is disposed against a hook member; pulling on a webbing to displace a fourth folding panel relative to and in parallel with the laptop tray; pulling of the webbing to fold a third folding panel from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation; pulling on the webbing to fold the third folding panel from the vertical orientation to an orientation in alignment with the fourth folding panel; and pulling on the webbing to fold a second folding panel to a vertical orientation, wherein the laptop tray is displaced to an elevated state. Other steps are also contemplated.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “the embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the quoted phrases, or variations thereof, as recited throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that any claim requires more features than those expressly recited in that claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in a combination of fewer than all features of any single foregoing disclosed embodiment.

The phrase “coupled to” refers to any form of interaction between two or more entities, including mechanical, electrical, magnetic, electromagnetic, fluid, and thermal interaction. Two components may be coupled to each other even though they are not in direct contact with each other. For example, two components may be coupled to each other through an intermediate component.

References to approximations are made throughout this specification, such as by use of the term “substantially.” For each such reference, it is to be understood that, in some embodiments, the value, feature, or characteristic may be specified without approximation. For example, where qualifiers such as “about” and “substantially” are used, these terms include within their scope the qualified words in the absence of their qualifiers. For example, where the term “substantially flat surface” is recited with respect to a feature, it is understood that in further embodiments, the feature can have a precisely flat surface.

The terms “a” and “an” can be described as one, but not limited to one. For example, although the disclosure may recite a laptop tray elevating device having “a hook member,” the disclosure also contemplates that the laptop tray elevating device can have two or more hook members.

Unless otherwise stated, all ranges include both endpoints and all numbers between the endpoints.

Recitation in the claims of the term “first” with respect to a feature or element does not necessarily imply the existence of a second or additional such feature or element.

The claims following this written disclosure are hereby expressly incorporated into the present written disclosure, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment. This disclosure includes all permutations of the independent claims with their dependent claims. Moreover, additional embodiments capable of derivation from the independent and dependent claims that follow are also expressly incorporated into the present written description. Without further elaboration, it is believed that one skilled in the art can use the preceding description to utilize the invention to its fullest extent. The claims and embodiments disclosed herein are to be construed as merely illustrative and exemplary, and not a limitation of the scope of the present disclosure in any way. It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, with the aid of the present disclosure, that changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments without departing from the underlying principles of the disclosure herein. In other words, various modifications and improvements of the embodiments specifically disclosed in the description above are within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, the order of the steps or actions of the methods disclosed herein may be changed by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is required for proper operation of the embodiment, the order or use of specific steps or actions may be modified. The scope of the invention is therefore defined by the following claims and their equivalents. 

1. A laptop carrying case, comprising: a case comprising an upper portion and a lower portion; and a laptop tray elevating member disposed with the lower portion and comprising: a laptop tray comprising a work surface to support a laptop computer, wherein the laptop tray is elevatable at an angle relative to the lower portion; an elevating portion comprising: a first folding panel coupled to the laptop tray; a second folding panel coupled to the first folding panel, wherein the first folding panel is disposed between the laptop tray and the second folding panel; a third folding panel coupled to the second folding panel; and a fourth folding panel coupled to the third folding panel, wherein the third folding panel is disposed between the second folding panel and the fourth folding panel; a hook member coupled to the laptop tray to prevent the laptop computer from sliding off the laptop tray; a webbing coupled to the fourth folding panel to displace the fourth folding panel relative to the laptop tray; and a webbing gripping member selectively coupleable to the webbing to retain the laptop tray in an elevated state.
 2. The laptop carrying case of claim 1, wherein the elevating portion is configured to elevate the laptop tray to an angle ranging from minus 2 degrees to 60 degrees relative to an inner surface of the lower portion.
 3. The laptop carrying case of claim 1 further comprising a strap coupled to an inner surface of the lower portion and the second folding panel to limit an angle between the second folding panel and the inner surface of the lower portion to 70 degrees when the laptop tray is in the elevated state.
 4. The laptop carrying case of claim 1, wherein an angle between the second folding panel and an inner surface of the lower portion ranges between zero degrees and 70 degrees when the laptop tray is in the elevated state.
 5. The laptop carrying case of claim 1, wherein the third and fourth folding panels are configured to slidingly couple with a bottom surface of the laptop tray.
 6. The laptop carrying case of claim 1, wherein the elevating portion further comprises: a first pulley coupled to the first folding panel; and a second pulley coupled to the fourth folding panel; wherein the webbing extends from the fourth folding panel to the first pulley, from the first pulley to the second pulley, and from the second pulley to the hook member.
 7. The laptop carrying case of claim 1, wherein the hook member comprises: a body portion; a first hook extending vertically from the body portion adjacent a first end of the body portion; a second hook extending vertically from the body portion adjacent a second end of the body portion; and a webbing channel disposed in a bottom surface of the body portion and configured to slidingly receive the webbing.
 8. The laptop carrying case of claim 1, further comprising a mouse pad removably coupled to an interior surface of the case.
 9. The laptop carrying case of claim 1, wherein the lower portion comprises an outer shell and an inner shell disposed within the outer shell, wherein the inner shell comprises: a circumferential side wall defining a cavity, a shelf extending inwardly from the circumferential sidewall within the cavity, and a recess disposed radially inward of the shelf.
 10. The laptop carrying case of claim 9, wherein the shelf is sized to support the laptop tray when in a non-elevated state, and wherein the recess is sized to receive the elevating portion.
 11. The laptop carrying case of claim 1, wherein the webbing gripping member comprises a cam buckle.
 12. A laptop elevating device comprising: a laptop tray elevating member comprising: a laptop tray comprising a work surface to support a laptop computer; an elevating portion comprising: a first folding panel coupled to the laptop tray; a second folding panel coupled to the first folding panel, wherein the first folding panel is disposed between the laptop tray and the second folding panel; a third folding panel coupled to the second folding panel; and a fourth folding panel coupled to the third folding panel, wherein the third folding panel is disposed between the second folding panel and the fourth folding panel; a hook member coupled to the laptop tray configured to prevent the laptop computer from sliding off the laptop tray; a webbing coupled to the fourth folding panel and configured to displace the fourth folding panel relative to the laptop tray; and a webbing gripping member selectively coupleable to the webbing and configured to retain the laptop tray in an elevated state.
 13. The laptop elevating device of claim 12, wherein the elevating portion is configured to elevate the laptop tray to an angle ranging from minus 2 degrees to 60 degrees relative to an inner surface of a lower portion of a carrying case.
 14. The laptop elevating device of claim 12, wherein the third and fourth folding panels are configured to slidingly couple with a bottom surface of the laptop tray.
 15. The laptop elevating device of claim 12, wherein the elevating portion further comprises: a first pulley coupled to the first folding panel; and a second pulley coupled to the fourth folding panel; wherein the webbing extends from the fourth folding panel to the first pulley, from the first pulley to the second pulley, and from the second pulley to the hook member.
 16. The laptop elevating device of claim 12, wherein the hook member comprises: a body portion; a first hook extending vertically from the body portion adjacent a first end of the body portion; a second hook extending vertically from the body portion adjacent a second end of the body portion; and a webbing channel disposed in a bottom surface of the body portion and configured to slidingly receive the webbing.
 17. A method of elevating a laptop computer, comprising: placing a laptop computer on a laptop tray of a laptop elevating device, wherein a portion of the laptop computer is disposed against a hook member; pulling on a webbing to displace a fourth folding panel relative to and in parallel with the laptop tray; pulling of the webbing to fold a third folding panel from a horizontal orientation to a vertical orientation; pulling on the webbing to fold the third folding panel from the vertical orientation to an orientation in alignment with the fourth folding panel; and pulling on the webbing to fold a second folding panel to a vertical orientation, wherein the laptop tray is displaced to an elevated state.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the laptop tray, when in the elevated state, includes an angle relative to a first folding panel of the laptop elevating device ranging between minus 2 degrees and 60 degrees.
 19. The method of claim 17, further comprising opening a webbing gripping member to allow the webbing to displace the fourth folding panel when pulled.
 20. The method of claim 17, further comprising closing a webbing gripping member to grasp the webbing and hold the laptop tray in the elevated state. 